riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Colfax County Disaster Risk

Colfax County, New Mexico

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

58th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#20

of 33 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

59th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Colfax County, New Mexico

Colfax County near national average risk

At 58.49, Colfax County's composite risk score nearly mirrors New Mexico's state average (58.92) and ranks in the relatively low category. This northeastern county's moderate exposure to multiple hazards reflects its transitional position between the plains and mountains.

Middle-ranked for statewide risk

Colfax ranks mid-range among New Mexico counties, neither high nor low on the risk spectrum. This positioning reflects balanced hazard exposure across its geography.

Risk similar to county neighbors

Colfax's 58.49 score closely matches Cibola County (58.37) and significantly exceeds Union County to the east. The county's risk profile remains relatively consistent across its territory.

Wildfire poses exceptional threat

Wildfire risk reaches 97.52 in Colfax—an extreme score driven by extensive forest coverage and seasonal dry conditions. Flood risk (58.56) and earthquake risk (35.56) remain secondary concerns, while tornado risk (16.06) stays low.

Wildfire prevention is priority one

Invest in defensible space maintenance and fire-resistant materials—Colfax's 97.52 wildfire score demands aggressive prevention. Verify that your homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage and review coverage annually.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Colfax County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    98th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    36th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Colfax County

Risk Verdict

Colfax County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 58th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Colfax County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Colfax County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (36th percentile), tornado (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Colfax County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 98th percentile nationally. Colfax County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 59th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Colfax County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

At just 0.4 composite points from the New Mexico average, Colfax County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Colfax County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Colfax County, NM?
Colfax County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 58th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Colfax County?
Colfax County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (98th percentile), flooding (59th percentile), earthquake (36th percentile), tornado (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 98th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Colfax County risk compare to the New Mexico average?
Colfax County's composite risk percentile is 58th, compared to the New Mexico state average of 59th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Colfax County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in New Mexico.
Is Colfax County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Colfax County's wildfire risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Colfax County is at the 59th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Colfax County a safe place to live?
Colfax County's composite risk score of 58th percentile is below the New Mexico state average of 59th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 98th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Cibola County

New Mexico

-0.1

Relatively Low

58th percentile

Sierra County

New Mexico

-2.7

Relatively Low

56th percentile

Socorro County

New Mexico

+3.0

Relatively Low

61th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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